1104.26 COUGHING

I woke up this morning with a cough and irritation on my chest, I could hardly speak. Morticia was very poorly this morning, she wouldn't wake up so I ended up not taking her to the doctors as I planned (although I will be taking her tomorrow).

I drove the car to work, I had a meeting at Maltby first thing, I arrived early so ended up sat in the car for 20 minutes listening to something on Radio 4 that I forget now.

My chest and throat didn't get any better (but no worse) all through my shift. I managed a good getaway since I had the car with me.

I cooked supper when I got home, Morticia is still as bad, coughing all the time. She is worried now she'll throw up (again).

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1104.24 EASTER EGG

So the big bunny came and I had the best Easter in a long time. No tension, completely relaxed. Perfect.

Yesterday I mentioned my purchase of a couple of books from a charity shop. One of them was 'Adrian Mole- The Prostrate Years' by Sue Townsend. I remember being 14 and reading the original Secret Diary and follow up Growing Pains. I was never very comfortable being a teenager and identified with the character. I couldn't resist the book when I saw it and started reading it as soon as I got back. I've ended up reading it within 24 hours (something I haven't done in a long time). Although I don't share much with the character I do find myself still relating to him. A boy who becomes a man who always feels slightly out of sync with the world around him. I feel like that often. Sue Townsend is a genius that somehow understands the male mind.

This evening Morticia, her mother and the girls took a walk to the local pub for a pint. It was the first time since I've been coming down here that I've visited any of the locals. I had a pint of Wells Eagle IPA in the Cambridgeshire Hunter. It was getting cold so we headed back (plus Rags was getting tired).

We go home tomorrow which is a real shame since I'm so relaxed at the moment. I'm currently settled on the settee enjoying a pint of real ale.

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1104.23 ST GEORGE

As usual for this time of year we are all down south visiting Morticia's mother and her partner. I enjoy the break and for a change my eldest is behaving pretty well.

Today is St George's Day, the day we celebrate our Englishness. We visited the town centre today, it's been extremely hot so after perusing local shops we sat outside the cafe in the town square for a cuppa. I couldn't help but look on in envy at the lone cyclist enjoying a break. I really want that, the bike, the journey, the lifestyle. As we enjoyed our break we were treated to some unexpected entertainment.

Morris dancing, how English, how apt. Even Rags had a go. Perfect.

I purchased 2 books from the Cat Protection charity shop and was given a free one from the box of unsaleable book box.

Tonight is Doctor Who night with the premiere of the new series. It's been taped (is it people of my aged group that say 'taped' when they mean Sky+ or similar?) and I'm still waiting to watch it.

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1104.22 ABSENCE

Ok, so I haven't blogged in ages. To be honest I haven't done anything in ages. We've had major problems with our teenage daughter which (touch wood) are now under some sort of control. I've neglected myself and my friends during this period, something I hope to rectify.

This week I started giving blood again after a gap of almost 2 years. They made a real mess of my arm but I'm not deterred, I need to take control of my life and this was the first step.

In a couple of weeks I'll be 40 and I'll have to admit defeat on my '40 b4 40' project. Maybe I'll set up a '50 b4 50' (?).

I used to enjoy blogging, and when I do I still enjoy it. It's a chore sometimes to get started.

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1103.05 AFTER SHOW

My kids have been in a show this week at Rotherham Arts Centre. They are active members of Kimberworth Park Youth Theatre. Any parent who's kids do any extra out of school know the extra pressures when they do so sort of event associated with their activity. Like the big match for a footballer the play was the pinnacle of their 'season'.

Once again it was a great success and my girls did a marvellous job. Well done.

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1103.01 AWFUL FEBRUARY

February was probably the most stressful month I think I've been through. Family issues have pushed me to the edge. Add to that work stress (office politics) and the worry of the state of the country under the Tories (prices increasing, lack of job security). I'm really hoping that March is a time for change, I have tried to make changes and to get assistance where needed. Let's hope it all works out, my sanity is at stake here.

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1102.20 CFS/ME AWARENESS

I'm currently crusading on behalf of my wife who has suffered from ME for several years and has only just started to receive treatment. The only reason for this is lack of knowledge from health care professionals. I am researching online support both via websites and Facebook groups/pages.

So many doctors don't 'believe' in CFS/ME and most sufferers have to battle just to be diagnosed.

Support us on 12th May for 2011 Blue Ribbon ME/CFS Awareness Day.

http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/justice-for-cfs-me-sufferers.html

1102.09 LIFE BEGINS...

Mr C, you are the brother I never had, a friend that is always there. You have seen me through the good and bad times. We've been on adventures and experienced so much over the years. We've laughed, we've cried and laughed some more. You are my children's Godfather and my best man.

Happy 40th birthday dude. This is where life begins (apparently).

1102.04 RADIO GAGA

Today I was a local celebrity, by that Mean that I was featured in a 90 second interview with BBC Radio Sheffield on the Toby Foster Show. The interview was about Twitter and how I use it at work. One thing I don't usually do is blog about my work but since I've never been on the radio then I thought it would be appropriate. For the last 5 months I've been tasked with pushing my team at work onto social networks. On of the main things I started was a 'pro' Twitter account detailing what I do from day to day (all my personal stuff remains with @captainkirt).

You can catch the show on iPlayer for a week at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00d99v3 (the piece is about 15 minutes in).

Or the segment I feature in at http://boo.fm/b269150 (posted by BBC Radio Sheffield's James Vincent).

You can also read an article on my tweeting at http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sheffield/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9387000/9387463.stm

1101.30 ACHES AND SNEEZES

I'm sure I never used to feel like this when I was in my 20s, I ache inside and my face feels like I've been kicked by a horse. My neck cracks everytime I move it. Is this what I have to look forward to as I get older?

1101.29 iPHONE

10 days ago I upgraded my phone. As I mentioned before my choice was between 2 phones. Basically between the top end Android phone and the iPhone 4. After loads of research I decided to go with the polished image and finish of Apple's iPhone. It was the quality of the device and the solid build that swayed me along with loads of friends testimonials.

I'm impressed, this is the top of the game. A complete lifestyle assistant for the 21st century geek. I'm not here to review it just to say how pleased I am with my choice. I only had one disappointment and that was the non-existent group texting function. This was easily worked around with a free app that fixed the issue. 

I want to say that my old phone, the Nokia E71, has been an awesome device and a great digital companion these last 18 months. I traded it it to cover the up front charge for my new iPhone.

1101.16 GEEK NEEDS NEW PHONE

My mobile phone upgrade window opens on Wednesday and I've spent the past week/month researching my options. I'm going to definitely move away from the full querty keyboard device since work supplied me with a Blackberry. So what device do I choose? I've always been a Nokia boy but they have stagnated over the last few years and the Symbian operating system just doesn't cut it any more. So as I see it there is just 2 options, iPhone or Android, and with Android comes yet more choices.

So what are my requirements? The usual still applies, decent internet browser, fast performance, quality build etc etc. Also the camera has to be decent (but it's not a megapixels game) and I would like HD video recording since my video camera went tits up last year.

That brings it down to just 2 models;

the iPhone 4 or the HTC Desire HD.

which phone?

I'm looking into both models in great detail, I'm almost sure which direction I will go but the jury is still out and I'm not going to make the decision until I get actually into the phone shop. I will probably be going down to upgrade on Saturday unless I can't wait that long. Watch this space.

1101.08 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

Needs 3D. Not much going for it.

The Captain's Movie Review in 7 Words.

2/7

1101.01 HAPPY NEW YEAR

As usual we welcomed the new year down in St Neots, at the Mother-in-law's. This year we went down earlier since I had the day off on New Year's Eve. We had a great time, better than usual in my opinion, it was a really relaxed affair.

I am determined that this year will be a different year for us. Sure I can't do much about Morticia's illness or my eldest's daughter's teenage strops but I can make sure that the environment in which we live improves, I also want my own quality of life to improve with some quality time for me with my family and myself.

So here's to a new year, again we set off with good intentions, last year was awful. This year I want to be happy.

1012.25 THE CAPTAIN'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

As John Lennon once said 'And so this is Christmas', this particularly is the 40th one I have celebrated.

My Christmas is a family one with my wife and 2 daughters. We shared dinner with my father-in-law and soon Morticia's step sister and family will arrive for drinks and nibbles. I'm making a point not to visit any social media today and apart from a couple of texts and this blog post I've not touched my phone, I've also left my Blackberry swiched off for the day.

I'm glad to be here after what has been a difficult year. Morticia's illness and the possibility of a dietary condition (which proved negative) caused tension at home along with teenage angst with my eldest daughter. The voting in of a Conservative lead coalition government and all the job uncertainty that brought has been pretty much on my mind. The most difficult this to bear for me this year has been the passing of my Grandad who meant the world to me. Life carries a lot of pain, it's what shapes us but sometimes it feels that the pain is too much to bear, this year is one of the most challenging in those respects for me.

On the good side I managed to make the family holiday to Wales happen once again, I really never tire of that place. Work is good and I find myself now spearheading the social media revolution within our team running a Twitter feed and Facebook page. My cycling has dropped off a little but this is because I'm still waiting for the Cycle to Work scheme to start up again.

I hope that next year I get cut a little slack my fate and finally manage to get thing evened out. All I want is to enjoy life more without all the difficulties that seem to be piled on me in abundance. It will be the year of my 40th, a real milestone, one that does bother me. Still, let's see...